In news– Mo bus service of Odisha’s Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) authority, has been recognised by the United Nations as one of 10 global recipients of its annual Public Service Awards for 2022.
What is Mo Bus?
- Mo Bus service was launched in November 2018 to ensure “transformation of the urban public transport scenario in the city and its hinterland through use of smart technology, service benchmarking and customer satisfaction”.
- CRUT plans to introduce 289 buses in three phases with the induction of 200 new buses.
- The Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), a special purpose vehicle (SPV), formed under Housing and Urban Development Department of the Government of Odisha operates a fleet of 310 buses to and from the capital.
- The buses are designed to integrate smart technologies such as free on-board Wi-Fi service, digital announcements, surveillance cameras, and electronic ticketing.
- Around 50% of Mo Bus Guides (conductors) are women.
- Airconditioned Mo Bus fares start at Rs 5 and go up to Rs 70; non-AC fares are from Rs 5 to Rs 55.
- It has been recognised for its role in promoting gender-responsive public services to achieve the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
About UN Public Service Award-
- The UN describes its Public Service Awards as the “most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service”.
- It is intended to reward “the creative achievements and contributions of public service institutions that lead to a more effective and responsive public administration in countries worldwide.
- Through an annual competition, the UN Public Service Awards promotes the role, professionalism and visibility of public service.
- It celebrates the value and virtue of public service to the community, highlights its contribution in the development process, recognizes the work of public servants, and encourages young people to pursue careers in the public sector.
- The first Awards ceremony was held in 2003. And in the same year the UN General Assembly designated June 23 as the UN Public Service Day to “celebrate the value and virtue of public service to the community”
Eligibility-
- All Public organizations/agencies at national and sub-national levels, as well as public/private partnerships and organizations performing outsourced public service functions, are eligible for nomination.
- Awards take into consideration a geographical distribution of five regions.
- In order to level the playing field for nominations received from countries with varying levels of development and income, the following five regions have been established:
- Africa.
- Asia and the Pacific.
- Europe and North America.
- Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Western Asia.
- Eligible nominators include: Government departments and agencies; universities, non-governmental organizations, professional associations, etc.
- Purely scientific innovations, e.g. in medical or environmental science, do not qualify for the United Nations Public Service Awards.
Source: The Indian Express
